Although many school plays tend to focus on comical or light-hearted theatric productions, WJ S*T*A*G*E has decided to key in on a more serious and historic interpretation this fall. Adapted from the novel of the same title, “The Diary of Anne Frank” is set in Amsterdam during World War II. The play revolves around young Anne Frank, her family and her friends. The Franks and their friends, all Jewish, are hiding from the Nazi soldiers who have occupied the Netherlands. If caught, they will likely be separated and will be sent to concentration camps.

“The Diary of Anne Frank” provides the set builders with new challenges. Senior stage manager Tim Hussey said that building the set was the most difficult part of the production due to its vast size.

“This [set] is clearly huge; it’s literally built like a house,” he said. “[You have to ensure you are] cutting everything properly, assembling it so that it’s functional and [ensuring that] it won’t break under someone’s weight, but also not wasting money.” Hussey explained that this production is different than most WJ shows where smaller platform sets are used that roll on and off the stage.

Work on the S*T*A*G*E set has been a long process, starting in July with the set designs. According to set designer junior Dylan Stieber, once the script is chosen the designing can begin.

“You have to do research, and you have to see what is needed,” said Stieber. “You have to really deeply analyze [the play]. Then, once you start getting ideas, you draw them out and then work with it and then you… plug it into a [set designing] program and make it.”

After a possible design is drawn, it is sent to the director for approval. Once the director has finalized the script and approved the set design, the lighting designer can begin to map out the lighting plan for the show.

Lighting designer junior Noam Lautman expressed the difficulty of lighting the stage for the play. He conveyed that, due to the enormity of the set, with the highest platform being nine feet high, it has been difficult to illuminate the stage without casting unusual shadows.

Despite the challenges of constructing and working with such an abnormally large set, many of the crew members find the best part of WJ S*T*A*G*E to be the sense of family.

“This is going to sound cheesy… but the [best part is the] community,” said Lautman. “You go out in the hallway and you’re wearing the different shirts, like ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’ and ‘The Wiz,’ and you’re like, ‘Oh, I remember that show!’ and you remember all the good memories and jokes.”

Throughout the past months, the S*T*A*G*E family has been continuously working to prepare for The Diary of Anne Frank. The crew agreed that it is not a show to miss.

“Bring tissues, lots and lots and lots of tissues. It’s sad. It’s amazing,” said Lautman. “I sat in rehearsal last week and I was blown away. The actors do such a good job of being there in the moment. You just watch them, [and] you don’t even think you’re in WJ [or] Bethesda. You are there with them- it’s awesome.”